News that a credit card skimmer was dislodged from a Bradenton Beach gas station pump should alert motorists about how to avoid falling prey to this crime.

The modified pump at the Circle K gas station in the island city stands on the outside, farthest from clerk observation and obscured from surveillance cameras.

Here's a tip: Use pumps within eyesight of clerks. Thieves are unlikely to risk being spotted while inserting skimmers, a process that takes two to three minutes, according to a Bradenton Beach detective.

At least 30 Circle K customers reported this credit card fraud to the company after mysterious charges appeared on their accounts.